Heart of the Night [Cobar herd]

[Tex]

The grulla filly snorted playfully as they all ran, trying to keep her friend's spirits up. She knew that it was more to do with the mind than with the body when you got tired, though your if your body had been running all night, perhaps it was just their bodies being tired. Even so, Ally kept on running, her legs feeling like lead. Even for a horse, this running was punishment after a night with no sleep.
When she had caught up with Cobar and Omaroo again, it looked like Cobar had been angry with her, and she had laid her ears down flat. Down, boy. Ally didn't like guys who liked being in charge.

[{ Opal }]

Cobar was at first confused by Ally's lighthearted snorts; but when he realized her motive, he couldn't help but glance gratefully back at her. He suddenly recognized that she had been annoyed by the "staying" ordeal, and briefly thought that he needed to treat her differently. After all, it would not be nice to have their wills clash. As Cobar set his thoughts to the back of his mind, he began to brood over the best way to escape men unnoticed. As the dappled stallion looked about in the dim light, he recalled that man's shod horses have difficulty on the steep hills- all the more difficult when also rocky. Cobar nickered encouragingly to his fillies as his sharp mind produced a quite simple idea: to head up to one of the Brindle Bull's rough rises. Remembering the location of one, he took a sharp turn, luckily knowing where he was. Soon the desired hill was in sight, and Cobar slowed briefly to give himself (and the others) a chance to catch his breath. Then Cobar lunged forward, digging his hooves into the loose gravel, keenly aware of the fading sounds of man and dog. They must have lost them! Though he was compelled to slow down, Cobar knew that this was the time that he should move the fastest. So, with frequent looks at his fillies, he led them up the rise at a steady pace.

[yaruka]

Omaroo was grateful for Ally's playful encouragement and half-blindly followed the grulla in their race from the men. Seeing Cobar lurch up the mountainside she turned numbly to follow, digging her solid hooves into the loose gravel and pulling exhausted self up the slope.

[Tex]

Ally was pleased with how well her encouragement had worked, and squealed at Omaroo enthusiastically. Sure, they were tired, but they had been tired before they had goaded Cobar into chasing them! They could easily escape these silly Men, without even worrying about it!
She whinnied to them quietly enough that no-one else would hear, and ran even faster. She overtook Cobar, and nudged him to encourage him to go faster, before arriving at the top, panting and sweating. She quickly went over the rise so that the Men would not see her silhouette, and waited for the others there.

[{ Opal }]

Soon Cobar made it over the hill, breathing heavily but also relieved. He swished his tail happily over Ally's back, then turned to greet Omaroo with a lighthearted nicker. They had made it out of sight of man, and Cobar knew they could use a good rest; but to do that, they probably needed to travel more. The stallion stifled a tired sigh. Hopefully there would be someplace nearby? Cobar scanned the horizon, still somewhat surprised at finding himself in the morning light, and found that they had made it to the edge of the Brindle Bull. No more stone! Cobar couldn't help but rejoice at the thought. Gladly he snorted to the fillies, encouraging them to look out at the grass and trees, lit up by the sun. They could eat and rest tonight, and hopefully find some pond to drink from. After catching his breath, Cobar started briskly toward the trees, knowing that they would conceal him from man. As soon as he entered the cool shadows, he felt more relieved. Happily he nipped at the grass below, hunger churning in his belly.

[yaruka]

Omaroo too, was relieved to reach the security of the shadowy woods. Not only did she here blend into the darkness until she was no more than a watchful eye or a flicking tail, but she doubted the men would ride their horses through here. Still, she couldn’t quite bring herself to eat yet. Instead she simply stood next to Ally, head drooped over her friend’s shoulders. Sighing she half-closed her eyes and cocked her hind leg for a well needed rest. Her whole body was motionless, save for her constantly flickering ears keeping tabs on what was going on around her.